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The word Ubakagi is a Congolese word for cutting meat from a dead animal. This term is also used for raped women. A surviving rape victim automatically falls down the order of rank, and ends up lower than an animal. She gets’ banished by her family and the community.Rape has been used as a weapon of war during the different conflicts that take place in Congo. Using rape is an efficient way of offending and humiliating the opposition. Black magic also plays a role in the use of rape. Believing that the ashes of female reproductive organs have a magical power when used for tattoos, the rape offenders could kill and mutilate the victims after raping them.In most contexts the phallus is a symbol of fertility. Ashkan Honarvar changes the symbol to an equipment of abuse of power.Exploring the relation between the offender and power Ashkan Honarvar, researches many different facets; the animal-like behaviour of the rape offenders, the colonial history, the system and rituals of how the rapes where executed & the effects of the act on both offender & victim after the conflict has ended.

For other Ubakagi projects see this link: http://www.behance.net/gallery/Ubakagi/961195